Slider for actuating profiled closing shapes with preferred fold lines

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks, and means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, for moving the profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides its internal space into two corridors, characterised in that said corridors extend according to rectilinear and parallel median axes, which represent preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved away from each other.

The present invention relates to the field of sachets provided with complementary profiled closure shapes, actuated by a slider.

It relates more precisely to a slider for actuating profiled closure shapes for a closure assembly equipping a sachet.

Numerous sachets with complementary profiled closure shapes equipped with sliders have already been proposed.

The attached FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a slider 1 in keeping with the prior art.

In this figure, the profiled shapes with which the slider is supposed to cooperate have been illustrated and bear the reference P₁ and P₂, whereas the sachet with which these profiled shapes are associated is referenced S.

Such a slider 1 is made of moulded plastic material and has a generally known structure.

More precisely, this slider has a cross-section in an inverse “U” shape, and comprises a base 10 to which are connected two lateral and parallel wings 11 and 12 known as “flanks”. The longitudinal axis of the slider corresponds to its direction of movement when it is installed on a sachet with complementary profiled shapes. The flanks 11 and 12 extend parallel to this axis.

As is well known per se, the internal space of the slider encloses means 13 adapted for stressing the complementary profiled closure shapes P₁ and P₂ of the sachet, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along these profiled shapes. The expression “internal space” means the space delimited by the base 10 and the flanks 11 and 12.

Such a slider must be placed on a sachet S whereof the two sails are provided with complementary profiled closure shapes P₁ and P₂.

The technique generally utilised to achieve this consists overall in deforming the slider so as to momentarily move its flanks 11 and 12 away from one another (arrow f of FIG. 1), moving the profiled shapes closer to “cinch” the latter and trap the protuberances T₁ and T₂ with which they are provided, then return the flanks to their initial position (arrows g of FIG. 1).

This displacement of the flanks is implemented for example by introducing tools “inside” the slider, applying them against the inner faces of the flanks and moving them away mutually.

In practice, the pivoting movement of the flanks does not translate by flexion of the material of the slider in the attachment zone of the flanks to the base. In fact, this zone is too thick and rigid to constitute a preferred folding zone.

In this case, deformation is completed in predetermined regions of the base.

Document EP-A-0 479 661 discloses a slider with convergent corridors.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,666 describes a slider provided with load pins.

The aim of the present invention is to further improve sliders of the prior art so as to produce satisfactory deformation with a level of acceptable mechanical stress, without risk of breaking.

The present invention accordingly relates to a slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks, and means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along profiled shapes, for moving the profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides its internal space into two corridors.

This slider is remarkable in that said corridors extend according to median rectilinear and parallel axes which represent preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved away from each other

These corridors represent preferred fold lines of rectilinear and parallel range, which very substantially reduces the risk of breaking, with acceptable levels of mechanical stress.

According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this slider:

-   -   said groove is prolonged by a base which overflows on either         side of said groove to constitute guide facets of said profiled         shapes;     -   said base overflows on either side of said groove to constitute         guide facets of a protuberance associated with said profiled         shapes;     -   along the longitudinal free edge of each flank extends a         stiffening bar, of a thickness greater than that of said flank;     -   said bar has the same longitudinal range as said flank;     -   it comprises projecting load pins on said flanks, in the         vicinity of the end of those opposite said base, for opening it         provisionally and enabling its engagement on said profiled         shapes when stress is exerted on said pins.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment.

This description will be given in reference to the attached diagrams, in which:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slider according to the invention, presented in reversed position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the slider of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the slider of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the slider of FIG. 2, according to a direction opposite that of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views equivalent to those in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flanks being illustrated in a spread position;

FIG. 8 is a view equivalent to FIG. 2, the flanks being illustrated in a spread position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the flanks being illustrated in a spread position;

FIG. 10 is a view of the slider according to the invention, in perspective.

The example of slider of the invention overall has a structure known per se, close to that of FIG. 1.

As with this known slider, the slider according to the invention has a cross-section in an inverse “U” shape, with a base 10 to which are attached two lateral and parallel wings (or flanks) 11 and 12.

In FIG. 2, it is presented in a position opposite to the one it occupies when it is in place on a sachet.

The internal space of the slider encloses means adapted for stressing complementary profiled closure shapes of a sachet (marked respectively P₁, P₂ and S in FIG. 1), by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along these profiled shapes. The expression “internal space” means the space delimited by the base 10 and the flanks 11 and 12.

In this case, these means comprise a longitudinal groove 13 which extends according to the longitudinal median plane of the slider.

This groove 13, originating from material with the inner face of the base 10, separates the internal space into two corridors C₁ and C₂.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 5, the groove extends downwards via an elongated central base 14 which overflows on either side of the groove 13 to constitute guide facets of a protuberance T₁, T₂ (see FIG. 1), here in the form of a point of an arrow, situated above an associated profiled closure shape P₁, P₂. Each facet is turned to the base 10. “Protuberance” denotes any means associated with the corresponding profiled shape, which allows the slider to cooperate with the sachet.

This base 14 comprises a first “wide” part 140, in the general form of an iron base to be smoothed (that is, overall triangular when viewed from above), which is prolonged by a narrower part 141.

Also, opposite the two parts 140 and 141 of the base 14, the inner faces of the flanks 11 and 12 each bear a projection 112, 122, respectively 113, 123, which is also provided with a guide facet of a protuberance.

The corridors C₁ and C₂ are therefore delimited by the base 10, the groove 13, and its associated base 14, the inner faces of the flanks 11 and 12 and their associated projections 112, 122, 113, and 123. In other terms, the corridors C₁ and C₂ have the form of throats with convergent edges.

In the example shown here, along the longitudinal free rim of each flank 11 and 12 extends a stiffening bar 110, respectively 120, of a thickness greater than the remaining part of the flank.

In the example shown here, each bar 110 and 120 has on its free face, opposite the base 10, a keying finger 111, respectively 121.

In an embodiment which is not shown here, the slider could have the general structure described in French application No. 07 59545, in which load pins are provided in the extension of the flanks 11 and 12.

In the figures, it is evident that the opposite ends of the slider conform to arches 15, of a thickness greater than the rest of its body.

In accordance with the invention, the abovementioned corridors C₁ and C₂ extend according to rectilinear and parallel axes X-X′, which represent preferred fold lines.

In practice, these corridors are bordered laterally by the base of the groove 13 and by the foot of the projections 112, 122, 113, and 123.

In an attempt to deform the slider according to the invention, in order to place profiled shapes such as those P₁ and P₂ of FIG. 1, the flanks 11 and 12 are moved apart from one another, for example by exerting a force on their inner face, as shown by arrows f of FIG. 8. This allows the corridors C₁ and C₂ to be “opened” and enables placing of the profiled shapes.

Once this operation is done, the force is stopped and the flanks naturally regain their initial position.

This force is applied most closely to the free end of the flanks to produce the biggest possible lever arm.

Of course, the slider “folds” in those zones where there is least material. These “fold zones” correspond to the regions of the base 10 deprived of material outgrowth.

These zones correspond to the corridors C₁ and C₂ of axis X-X′.

The letter P in FIG. 7 is used to mark the deformation planes of the slider.

With respect to parallel planes, the mechanical stresses to be implemented to produce these deformations are reasonable and the risks of breaking the slider are reduced.

Of course, the slider of the invention can be provided differently to that described here. It can especially be devoid of stiffening bars.

In a variant embodiment, not shown, the above axes X-X′ could be marked visually, for example in the form of a line traced on the inner face of the base 10, or even in the form of a groove made therein. 

1. A slider for actuating profiled closure shapes, especially for a closure assembly equipping a sachet, comprising a base, two flanks and means adapted for stressing respectively said profiled closure shapes, by moving towards or moving away according to the direction of displacement of the slider along the profiled shapes, for moving the profiled shapes between a closed latch position and an open separated position, comprise a longitudinal groove which subdivides its internal space into two corridors, characterised in that said corridors extend according to median rectilinear and parallel axes, which represent preferred fold lines when said flanks are moved away from each other.
 2. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said groove is extended by a base which overflows on either side of said groove to constitute guide facets of said profiled shapes.
 3. The slider as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said base overflows on either side of said groove to constitute guide facets of a protuberance associated with said profiled shapes.
 4. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that along the longitudinal free edge of each flank extends a stiffening bar, of a thickness greater than that said flank.
 5. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said bar has the same longitudinal range as said flank.
 6. The slider as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises load pins projecting on said flanks, in the vicinity of the end thereof opposite said base, for opening it provisionally and enabling its engagement on said profiled shapes when stress is exerted on said pins. 